Tamil Heritage Trust is an organization run by a few enthusiasts based in Chennai. We organize monthly talks on issues related to heritage and culture. We also organize intense heritage workshops.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Hindu Art and Religion in Southeast Asia - Dr. R Nagaswamy

The Tamil Heritage group cordially invites

you and your friends

to the talk on

"HINDU ART AND RELIGION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA "

by Dr R Nagaswamy

on 7th February (Saturday) 2009 at 05.00 pm

at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Campus,

58 Venkatanarayana Road,

T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017

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About the Talk

Hinduism and the Hindu art are not confined to India alone. Their influence can be felt in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia etc, that is, almost the whole of Southeast Asia and to a great extent even in China and Japan. They can be found to survive in modified form even in the Balkan states in the West bordering Caspian Sea.

Hindu culture did not go to all these places as a conqueror destroying the local culture and life, imposing its own will on all people, but formed a natural part of their life.

This talk assisted by pictures will show how this culture prevailed in all aspects of Southeast Asian countries especially Cambodia and Thailand. It would show how Veda formed the backbone all these regions and temple to Siva, Vishnu, Devi and other gods and also the Buddha was part of their life as they formed part of our life. The Great temple of Angkor Vat and Angkor Thom of Cambodia would be presented as examples.

About the speaker:

Dr. R. Nagaswamy (Born 1930), Director of Archaeology (Retired) and former Vice chancellor, Kanchipuram University, is one among the most distinguished scholars covering a vast field of specialization, art, archaeology, architecture, literature, epigraphy, paleography, numismatics, temple rituals and philosophy, ancient law and society, music, dance and South Asian art. Tamilnadu must be grateful to him for he made archaeology a very popular subject in the state. He did this through publication of popular guides to our monuments, conducting courses, setting up museums and sensitizing the public towards preserving our monuments.

Many important excavations at places like Karur, Alagankulam, Korkai and Gangaikonda-cholapuram, were conducted by him. He is an acknowledged International Expert on South Indian Bronzes. He has authored a number of books and presented path-breaking papers in international conference. It was Dr.Nagaswamy who started and founded the now world famous Chidambaram Natyanjali Festival, 24 years ago.

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